Less sporty than luxurious, the 190SL was Mercedes’ answer to Max Hoffman’s suggestion that an alternative to the expensive, race-bred 300SL would be welcome in the American market. A prototype of the new car was plying the roads by 1954, but the production version wouldn’t be ready until 1955. With its stylish roadster-only body style, 104-hp four-cylinder engine, and posh interior, the 190SL sold almost 26,000 copies through 1963. It wasn’t fast, but it made its occupants look marvelous, and that was good enough. Today’s example requires TLC – though exactly what type/nature/extent other than its obvious cosmetic needs is not revealed – but it does drive. The new owner can retrieve it from La Habra, California.

The “baby” SL came from the factory with a 1.9-liter four-cylinder overhead cam engine breathing through dual twin-choke Solex carburetors – a departure from 300SL’s stout, powerful, fuel-injected six. US-delivery cars had a compression ratio of 8.5:1. Performance was middling: the 2550 lb car (saturated with safety features) managed zero to sixty in about 14.5 seconds. Top speed was about 107 mph. A common swap to Weber carburetors provides a couple more horsepower, but the motor was built to run off Solexes. Fortunately, Mercedes improved its old swing-axle rear suspension by limiting travel and dropping the car’s center of gravity. Handling improved immensely. The gearbox from the factory was a four-speed manual; this seller indicates that his car is an automatic. I doubt that’s true, but owners have been known to swap to a later Fintail automatic – though not without considerable fabrication.

The interior is generously appointed, with big, easy-to-read gauges, plush seating, and liberal trim. One of my favorite features of the 190SL is the clock inset into the glovebox lid; many cars both before and after this model feature glovebox clocks, but for some reason its presence in this nifty roadster strikes the right chord. A Blaupunkt radio was standard.

Mercedes would supply a hardtop, a soft top, or both to buyers. This car has both tops. Obviously, someone has performed bodywork on the nose and the tail, and the paint is shot. There’s no mention of rust. The trunk lock is missing, but the remainder of the exterior trim is in adequate condition. Between this seller and the car’s prior owner, 25 years of records are available. This car is listed here on facebook Marketplace for $65,000, which might seem eyepopping for a project car, but that’s about what 190SLs in tatty condition sell for these days. Restored examples can easily break through the $200k level, and middling cars will cost north of $100k. I’d love to give this car a berth in my garage, and I were so lucky, I would attend to reliability and leave it alone after that. What would you do with this baby SL?